Rod Stewart To Skip Faces Reunion At Rock Hall Induction Due To Illness

The Faces (minus Rod Stewart) presenting a copy of Faces 1969-75, their deluxe limited edition book published by Britain's Genesis Publications, to the Rock Hall's Library and Archives. (Photo: Gary Graff)

Just like that, the Faces reunion with Rod Stewart has been called off. The remaining three members of the legendary band announced today (April 13) at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum that their lead singer was too ill to perform and is held up in Los Angeles.

"Lead singers are dropping like flies. Rod, Axl Rose…" guitarist Ronnie Wood told reporters, a wink and a nod to the Guns N' Roses frontman who declined his invitation on Wednesday. When Billboard suggested asking Rose to fill in, Wood joked, "He might do it for us. He definitely won't do it with GnR."

The band -- drummer Kenney Jones, keyboardist Ian McLagan and Wood -- said occasional Faces collaborator Mick Hucknall, lead singer of Simply Red, will take Stewart's place on vocals. They appeared supportive of their famous frontman and wished him well.

"Unfortunately Rod is complaining of a sore throat..... wonder what will happen now…" Jones tweeted earlier on Friday.

Jones, McLagan and Wood broke the news that Stewart wouldn't attend while presenting a copy of Faces 1969-75, their deluxe limited edition book published by Britain's Genesis Publications, to the Rock Hall's Library and Archives.

Earlier this week, Jones inadvertently predicted a "surprise" while chatting with Billboard about the group's game plan for their first performance together in nearly 20 years. "We haven't made our mind up totally on what we're gonna do 'cause everything in the Faces, it's always a surprise and things change," he said.